Swindon in the Past Lane

In 1952 Swindon embarked upon an ambitious programme of expansion. One of the objectives was to encourage London based industries to relocate and thereby revitalise a town too dependent on a declining railway industry. As central government made an attempt to tackle the chronic housing shortage in the post war capital, country towns were given incentives to develop and expand. But Swindon had first to address a few pressing housing problems of its own. A memorandum from the Medical Officer of Health to the Town Clerk dated September 11, 1951 confirmed that Swindon had '138 sub-standard dwelling houses.' Some were considered to be 'in such a condition as to be a potential danger to life and limb, or to the health of the occupants'. The state of Swindon' housing was already causing concern in the 1930s. Wilfred Moss with his wife and daughter lived in a bungalow at Lower Walcot Farm, described as having four small rooms with timber partitions, two of which ...

The week began with a walk around Lydiard Park in the company of my lovely daughter and granddaughter Maysie. It was fortunate we took advantage of a window in everyone's busy calender as little Maysie has been unwell for the rest of the week. Lydiard House and the history of the St John family are two subjects close to my heart and the Autumn edition of Swindon Heritage includes a feature on Lady Diana Spencer and her connection to the youngest member of our Royal family, Prince George. Before you all leave comments at the bottom of this post saying 'she's his grandmother,' you need to buy a copy of the magazine. Check out the website for local stockists and how to subscribe.  On Tuesday I was invited to the 25th anniversary of the opening of the Les Gowing House in Penhill. It was my privilege to talk to some of the 36 residents, most of whom have lived in the Penhill area since the estate was built in the 1950s.  Edie Parsons, who moved in on August 21, 19...

In 2012 Penhill celebrated it's own Diamond Jubilee along with the Queen.  In 1952 Swindon was designated an overspill town and this aerial view shows the estate still under construction. The estate was built on the American Radburn lines in superblocks with houses grouped in small cul de sacs around areas of park or open space. Several features are missing from this 1950s photograph; the Royal British Legion Club in Downton Road has yet to make an appearance along with the block of high rise housing in Seagry Court, built in the 1960s.  Building stops at Latton Close at the extreme left of the photograph with the broad sweep of Leigh Road in the foreground. A hundred years ago Francis Hoddinott was the farmer at Penhill Farm, part of a small settlement just outside the Swindon borough boundary in Stratton St Margaret.  In 1951 Swindon Corporation acquired the farm with around 250 acres of building land and by 1965 there were 2,000 houses.  The ...